It is well documented that antibiotics are contraindicated for patients with MC. Antibiotics can cause the onset of MC, and for those who already have MC, antibiotics can trigger a reaction, or cause an existing reaction to become worse. In a healthy person, harmless resident intestinal bacteria, (the "good" bacteria), compete with each other, and with "bad" bacteria, for food and "habitat", and a stable population is maintained. When antibiotics are given, most of the resident "good" bacteria are killed, which gives any surviving, or newly introduced bacteria, yeast, or other flora or fauna a chance to become established. Therefore, whenever we develop an infection, or for some other reason, need to take antibiotics, we have a dilemma, especially if long-term use is indicated.
If you find yourself in a position where to take an antibiotic, none of them are absolutely without risk, but some impose a much lower risk than others, obviously. Besides the risk of triggering an MC flare, some antibiotics carry a significant risk of causing a C. diff infection, and an antibiotic-resistant strain of C. diff can be a real bear to treat effectively.
Although these risks apply to some extent to all antibiotics, under certain conditions, the greatest risk seems to be associated with clindamycin (Cleocin), ampicillin (Omnipen), amoxicillin (Amoxil, Augmentin, or Wymox), and any antibiotics in the cephalosporin class (such as cefazolin or cephalexin).
In general, the antibiotics that seem to carry the lowest risk of causing either an MC flare, or a C. diff infection are those in the fluoroquinolone group, including Ciprofloxacin. Cipro rarely causes an MC flare, but it does carry a slight risk of causing tendonitis, or even a torn ligament, and the risk increases with long-term use. Another antibiotic that we have found to be relatively safe is azithromycin (Z-Pak).
It's also usually a good idea to take a good probiotic for a couple of weeks after the antibiotic treatment ends, anytime that ANY antibiotic is used, just to be on the safe side (to help minimize the risk of a C. diff infection).
Tex
What if Your Doctor Says You Have to Take an Antibiotic?
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What if Your Doctor Says You Have to Take an Antibiotic?
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Need Some Help!!!
Doctor prescribed the Z-Pak, 5 day antibiotic for an acute sinus infection and after taking the intial starting dose of 2, within 3 hours I was running to the bathroom..
Is there any antibiotic that is more tolerable for us with MC. I have been taking a probiotic for months and it seems to have made no difference with this antibiotic...
Thanks So Much for your replies!!
Love
Dee~~~~~~
Doctor prescribed the Z-Pak, 5 day antibiotic for an acute sinus infection and after taking the intial starting dose of 2, within 3 hours I was running to the bathroom..
Is there any antibiotic that is more tolerable for us with MC. I have been taking a probiotic for months and it seems to have made no difference with this antibiotic...
Thanks So Much for your replies!!
Love
Dee~~~~~~
Hi Dee,
I'm so sorry that none of us noticed your post in time to help. Most of us don't check this forum very often, since it's an information, (reference), forum. If you had posted to the Discussions on Treatment Options Using Diet, and/or Medications forum, or the Main Message Board, we wouldn't have overlooked it.
That said, I'm not aware of anything that is any safer that the Z-Paks, for most of us. Ciprofloxacin is another antibiotic that's generally safe for many of us, and is used to treat infections of the skin, lungs, airways, bones, and joints caused by susceptible bacteria. I believe it's most frequently used to treat urinary infections caused by bacteria such as E. coli, and infectious diarrheas caused by E. coli, campylobacter jejuni, and shigella bacteria. Whether or not it would have been useful in your case, depends on whether or not the bacteria involved were susceptable to it.
Again, I'm so sorry that no one noticed your post in time to help.
Love,
Wayne
I'm so sorry that none of us noticed your post in time to help. Most of us don't check this forum very often, since it's an information, (reference), forum. If you had posted to the Discussions on Treatment Options Using Diet, and/or Medications forum, or the Main Message Board, we wouldn't have overlooked it.
That said, I'm not aware of anything that is any safer that the Z-Paks, for most of us. Ciprofloxacin is another antibiotic that's generally safe for many of us, and is used to treat infections of the skin, lungs, airways, bones, and joints caused by susceptible bacteria. I believe it's most frequently used to treat urinary infections caused by bacteria such as E. coli, and infectious diarrheas caused by E. coli, campylobacter jejuni, and shigella bacteria. Whether or not it would have been useful in your case, depends on whether or not the bacteria involved were susceptable to it.
Again, I'm so sorry that no one noticed your post in time to help.
Love,
Wayne
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Hi Linda,
Yes, I believe that's still generally true. Since this original topic was posted, researchers have become more aware of an increased risk of tendonitis and/or torn ligaments following the use of Cipro, or any of the other fluoroquinolones. This can be of special concern for athletes, but it can happen to anyone, even without strenuous athletic activity. If it weren't for that risk, Ciprofloxacin or one of the other fluoroquinolones would be an excellent choice for someone who has MC, but unfortunately, it appears that no antibiotics are risk-free.
Tex
Yes, I believe that's still generally true. Since this original topic was posted, researchers have become more aware of an increased risk of tendonitis and/or torn ligaments following the use of Cipro, or any of the other fluoroquinolones. This can be of special concern for athletes, but it can happen to anyone, even without strenuous athletic activity. If it weren't for that risk, Ciprofloxacin or one of the other fluoroquinolones would be an excellent choice for someone who has MC, but unfortunately, it appears that no antibiotics are risk-free.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
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brookevale
- Adélie Penguin
- Posts: 75
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- Location: United States
I wouldn't recommend any of the fluoroquinolones even to my worst enemy. I developed fluoroquinolone toxicity from Levaquin. The tendinitis was so bad I could barely walk for 9 months, developed central nervous system issues, photosensitivity, and permanent painful neuropathy. Odd thing is I'm at the drs right now. My 2 year old has strep. Mine came back negative but they want me on amoxicillin. I said no. I am terrified to take it as I think that is what caused this MC nightmare.
Strongly believe I have a form of MC that began to flare December 27, 2013.
44 year old married mom to three sons ages 26, 17, and 2, a 21 year old stepdaughter, and 18 year old stepson. I also have a beautiful granddaughter who is one.
44 year old married mom to three sons ages 26, 17, and 2, a 21 year old stepdaughter, and 18 year old stepson. I also have a beautiful granddaughter who is one.